3 John

Highlight:

3 John 9–11 (NKJV) 

⁹ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. ¹⁰ Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. ¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 

Explain:

3 John: 1-8: John writes to Gaius, wishing him health and telling him that some traveling teachers have recently updated him on his faithfulness. He has no greater joy than to hear that his children are following the truth. He commends Gaius for taking care of traveling teachers for they are traveling for God and receive help only from believers. He encourages Gaius to continue to partner with them. 9-12: He warns them about Diotrephes who loves the prestige of his leadership position. He is making evil accusations against John and the teachers coming from him. He refuses to help John’s teachers and even puts people out of the church who help them. John urges them not to follow this evil example because doing good proves you are good and doing evil proves that you do not know God. He commends Demetrius to them. 13-15: He promises to say more when he sees them face to face. He greets all of his friends there and ends the letter.

The problem with Diotrephes:

1. Exclusive Pride – He wants to be in charge 
2. Malicious attack.
3. Complete Rejection: of teachers sent from John.
4. Authoritarian Control: Attack on others who are doing good.

Apply:

These are all qualities to reject in leadership:

1. Pride that seeks to place yourself in the spotlight.
2. Attacking those who may be countering your agenda.
3. Rejecting those who are not from your “camp,” but who are still preaching truth.
4. Seeking to over control.

Respond:

The one thing I must work on is seeking to over control. I will be conscious today of ways in which I may try to do this.